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Nadal blows Murray away in final

Rafael Nadal
It is Nadal's second Indian Wells title - he also won in 2007

Andy Murray was blown away by world number one Rafael Nadal as the Spaniard triumphed in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 final with a 6-1 6-2 victory.

Strong gusting winds in the Californian desert provided testing conditions, and rather spoilt the game as a spectacle.

Nadal settled the quicker of the two players, running away with the first set in 41 minutes.

World number four Murray mounted a sterner challenge in the second set, but was again broken twice.

"He definitely deserved the win, he played great in difficult conditions and dealt with it incredibly well," said British number one Murray.

"Unfortunately I couldn't get the job done but I've had a great start to the year and hopefully I can keep it going and push up the rankings."

Murray positive despite defeat in final

Nadal was delighted with his victory - his second Indian Wells title after his triumph in 2007 - which continued his great start to the season after his maiden Australian Open crown in January.

"I win in Australia, I win here," said Nadal. "I'm very happy with everything."

The match went with serve until the fourth game of the first set, when Nadal made the breakthrough.

The Spaniard wasted his first break point of the match with a mis-hit backhand, but took the game shortly afterwards when Murray was unable to control a volley.

Nadal took a decisive advantage in the sixth game when he broke his opponent for the second successive time, drawing Murray into the net before bunting the ball into the open court.

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Murray stopped the rot at the start of the second as he took the first game to love and the next three games all went with serve.

But Murray was becoming more and more frustrated by the wind and Nadal broke in the fifth game, finishing a marathon rally with a well-controlled lob.

Murray tried to fight his way back into the match but Nadal once again broke in the seventh game, before serving out the match to love.



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see also
Murray v Nadal as it happened
22 Mar 09 |  Tennis
Murray v Federer as it happened
21 Mar 09 |  Tennis
Nadal & Djokovic stay on course
18 Mar 09 |  Tennis
Nadal hits form in Indian Wells
16 Mar 09 |  Tennis


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